Human Rights Measure

In order to “reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and ensure continued access to abortion services,” the government “put in place a temporary approval in England, enabling women and girls to take both pills for early medical abortion . . . up to 10 weeks (9 weeks and 6 days) gestation in their own homes, following a telephone or e-consultation with a clinician, without the need to first attend a hospital or clinic.” While this measure is “time limited for 2 years, or until the pandemic is over ‒ whichever is earliest,” the government opened a consultation closing on February 26, 2021 to gather “views on whether to . . . make permanent the temporary COVID-19 measure allowing for home use of both pills for EMA [early medical abortion] up to 10 weeks’ gestation for all eligible women in England.”